On December 31, 2021 I was sitting in my studio, working on a piece of art and quietly singing along to a worship song. As it ended, the next song in my worship library began to play and it was the sound of the shofar. Suddenly, the presence of the Lord was in the room. There was a perfect stillness, as if time had stood still. There was a heaviness in the room, a holy presence, power, His glory. Tears and awe were spontaneous as I grabbed my journal and was on my knees. His beauty, His love is so overwhelmingly beautiful. I thanked Him for His presence and said His name over and over…all I could do in the moment.
I’ll never be the same.
His promise to us in Psalm 91:1-2 is an absolute certainty when we put our trust in Him and seek Him with all of our hearts. In that moment with Him, that is EXACTLY what I experienced - He who dwells in the secret place of the MOST HIGH shall abide UNDER THE SHADOW of the ALMIGHTY. I will say of the Lord, HE IS MY FORTRESS: MY GOD; in Him will I trust. It was as if I was encapsulated within an impenetrable presence, His power, HIM!
The next few days were quiet and peaceful, seeking him and listening. I had been fasting prior to the experience for total freedom of all that was not of Him.
I then noticed I was no longer waking up during the night with anxiety. I waited for full understanding of this encounter with Him before writing this post…He has set me free from fear and anxiety, they are GONE! Hallelujah!!!
I’ve struggled with anxiety for a very long time. Shortly after my high school years I was physically attacked and my life threatened. Throughout most of my twenties I had panic attacks and constant anxiety. I share this to encourage others who have experienced traumatic events in their lives and are struggling with fear, anxiety and panic attacks. I just lived with it the best I could and tried to move on. DO NOT do that please! Seek Him for freedom now and ask Him to surround you with Godly friends and mentors to help you grow in understanding so that you can be set free of all that hinders your walk with Him, your life purpose.
My journey to freedom has been long. My life began to turn around as I began to seek the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, the great I AM (Existing One), El Ohim (The Creator), El Shaddai (God Almighty), Adonai (My Lord), Yeshua, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit. It is Him that I seek, honor and obey.
There was a time in my life I sought God through New Age books, positive thinking, positive thoughts, the idea that we have “deeper inner potential and spiritual energy” that we must tap into. I read horoscopes all the while thinking it was harmless and of God. It is not of God and it is very offensive to Him. It was His presence that I experienced on December 31st. He alone has healed me and set me free. Not New Age practices of any kind, not Buddah, Taoism, Allah, paganism, clairvoyance, tarot cards, magic of any kind, they are dangerous and invite the enemy into your life, including objects depicting these things (idols), in your home. I’m simply sharing the truth in love and kindness as He has shown me.
Love In Christ,
Toni
(2 Corinthians 3:17)
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
(Exodus 20:3 )
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
